Advisory Board

Collective intelligence, holistic horizons

Imagine a vibrant, global network. Awarenearth is building an inspiring advisory board, a dynamic, multicultural team representing 24 diverse regions. These passionate experts will guide our vital projects, exploring humanity's connection with nature and tackling existential threats. Alongside our dedicated secretariat, we'll partner with leading international, regional, and local stakeholders committed to a fair and positive future. We're still expanding our board, so reach out and join this incredible journey.

  • Dr. Brian Buma

    Brian is the Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Innovation Initiative director and a senior scientist and National Geographic Explorer. With 80+ papers and a climate change book, his work is widely cited. He has led expeditions globally, from Greenland to Chile. A former professor, he now drives climate solutions through innovation and public engagement.

  • Dr. Amedeo Santuosso

    Amedeo is a former judge. He is a professor at the IUSS Pavia University in Italy. He researches the legal impact of AI and digital technologies, focusing on their mutual influence. He serves on UNESCO's COMEST and has advised on international AI ethics, bridging law and technological advancement.

  • Dr. Temitope Sogbanmu

    Temitope, an Environmental Toxicologist, excels in pollutant risk management. Leading GIYSCC and serving on NGO boards, she drives environmental action. At the University of Lagos, she's a distinguished researcher and lecturer. Championing UN SDGs and AU Agenda 2063, she bridges science and policy, advocating for informed environmental stewardship.

  • Carlos Pérez Osorio

    Carlos is a director and producer specializing in human rights documentaries across Latin America and the Middle East. His work, featured on Netflix and UN platforms, amplifies underrepresented voices and social conflicts. Notable projects include Emmy-nominated "Los Tigres del Norte" and Ariel-winning "The Three Deaths of Marisela Escobedo," driving social awareness of global injustices.

  • Dr. Yixian Sun

    Yixian, a University of Bath associate professor and UKRI Fellow, studies global sustainability transitions. Author of "Certifying China," he's a leading figure in environmental governance. He serves on the Earth System Governance Project's steering committee and co-chairs the Race to Zero's Fair Share working group.

  • Dr. Daniel Zimmer

    Dan, a Stanford lecturer, studies planet-scale power's impact on political thought. He blends political theory, history, and science studies, examining nuclear weapons, ecology, and AI. Dan is a postdoctoral fellow at the Standford Existential Risks Initiative SERI.

  • Gladys Barragan-Jason

    Gladys, a National Centre for Scientific Research CNRS researcher at SETE, studies human-nature connections. Her work, with over 3,800 citations, explores how these connections enhance well-being and conservation. Her notable review highlights psychological and physical impacts. Gladys now focuses on developing and validating practices to strengthen global human-nature bonds.

  • Dr. Christopher Preston

    Christopher is a full professor of philosophy at the University of Montana and a freelance writer on ecology, climate, and technology. His books and articles cover topics from wildlife recovery, to climate engineering, to environmental ethics. Award-winning author of "Tenacious Beasts," he also won the 2023 Andrew Light Award for Public Philosophy from the International Society for Environmental Ethics.

  • Princess Mashael AlShalan

    Co-Founder of AEON Collective and Chairwoman of Women & Energy, Mashael is a leader in sustainability and climate policy. She champions inclusive development and female empowerment, contributing to Saudi Arabia's Circular Carbon Economy initiative and leading programs like the Tree Library and Culture & One Health.

  • Dr. Yiwen Zeng

    Yiwen studies conservation science and policy, focusing on invasive species and SDGs. His work highlights policy shortcomings and explores nature-based climate solutions. He assesses carbon financing, reforestation, and conservation effectiveness in Southeast Asia.

  • Dr. David Lapola

    David, UNICAMP researcher, models terrestrial ecosystems and land-use change. With expertise in Earth System Modeling, he studies climate change impacts on tropical forests. He coordinates AmazonFACE, assessing CO2 effects on the Amazon, and develops plant trait-based vegetation models.

  • Iwona Fluda

    Iwona, an award-winning creative leader, blends art and technology for global impact. Founder of Ministry of Creativity and Creative Switzerland, she drives ethical innovation and collaboration. An MIT Bootcamps alumna and Royal Society of Arts Fellow, she fosters inclusive storytelling, inspired by her global travels.

  • Dr. Gabriel Dorthe

    Gabriel is a lecturer in Social Studies of Science at ETH Zurich. His research interests include climate anxiety and conspiracy theories. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy and environmental humanities and has been a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard and at the Research Institute for Sustainability at GFZ Potsdam.

  • Dr. Marion Hourdequin

    Marion, a Colorado College philosophy professor, explores climate justice and intergenerational ethics.Her published works include "Environmental Ethics" and a debate on individual climate action. Leading the ISEE from 2022-2024, she also contributed to the National Academy of Sciences' report on solar geoengineering research.

  • Dr. Sean Low

    Sean researches how assessments of 'disruptive' climate technologies influence policy and society in an age of multipolar politics, focusing on carbon removal, geoengineering, and the twin transition. His work explores anticipation and first movers in science, civil society, and business. Working at Wageningen University & Research, he welcomes collaborations on these topics.

  • Dr. Jonathan Shock

    An associate professor at UCT and adjunct at INRS, Jonathan directs University of Cap Town's AI Initiative. With a PhD in string theory, his research spans machine learning, physics, and neuroscience. Jonathan champions interdisciplinary work, collaborating across fields to solve global challenges.

  • Dr. Anne-Christine Favre

    Anne-Christine teaches Administrative and Environmental Law at UNIL/EPFL. Her expertise includes environmental law, focusing on risk, resource management, and climate/environmental litigation. She examines state-user dynamics, government structure, and legal liabilities. Additionally, she studies technology's legal impact and scientific research, emphasizing action principles and damage mitigation.

  • Joshua Amponsem

    Joshua, a Ghanaian climate advocate, co-founded GAYO. He's the UN Youth Envoy's climate specialist and lead author of "Adapt for Our Future." His work focuses on grassroots climate solutions, youth engagement in resilience, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation globally.

  • Margot Sterckman

    Margot, an EU Delegation to UNESCO trainee, focuses on global education and heritage. With UN-Habitat and UN sexual violence experience, she holds an M.A. from Columbia. Passionate about human rights and multilateralism, she aims to strengthen global justice and accountability.

  • Dr. Raffaele Rodogno

    Raffaele, with degrees in International Relations and Philosophy, holds a PhD from St Andrews. He researches human thought and action, focusing on well-being, emotion, technology, environmental ethics, and neurodiversity. He teaches ethics and political philosophy at UNIL and EPFL, pursuing an active research agenda.

  • Thomas Morgan

    Thomas, Chief Research Officer at IEP, analyzes historical violence, creating the Global Terrorism Index and leading the Global Peace Index. He previously researched at Oxford and the Smith Family. He holds Master's degrees in Data Science from Adelaide and Economics from Sydney.

  • Ayleen Roy

    Ayleen is a Program Officer at Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation & Disarmament, specializing in nuclear policy. She studies International Security at Sciences Po Paris and previously at King's College London. Ayleen relaunched Youth Fusion to empower disarmament advocacy, co-drafting policies and representing youth at UN forums to advance strategic disarmament.

  • Dr. Andrew Jocobson

    Andrew, a conservation biologist, employs GIS and remote sensing to map species and habitats. Catawba College's Associate Professor of GIS and Conservation, he holds degrees from Duke and UCL. His PhD explored East African carnivores. He advised National Geographic on global conservation priorities.

  • Dr. Ines Camilloni

    A University of Buenos Aires professor, Ines's IPCC Working Group I Vice-Chair, focusing on climate change's physical science. She serves on UNESCO's ethics commission, the IAI's advisory board, and WCRP's climate intervention group. Her expertise includes climate variability, change, and solar radiation modification impacts.

  • Ben Santhouse James

    Ben, a climate advocate, led YOUNGO's COP27/28 energy efforts and the COP28 Youth Dialogue. A McKinsey Sustainability Consultant, he scales climate tech and shapes policy across Europe and the Middle East. He holds an MSc in Energy Systems from Oxford and a BSc in Earth Science from Imperial.

  • Dr. Heather Gordon

    Heather, Iñupiaq, leads Sauyaq Solutions. With a PhD in Indigenous studies and sustainability science, she specializes in research and evaluation with Indigenous communities, focusing on human and nonhuman relationships. She bridges knowledge systems, serving as a science diplomat.